Imbolc

[meridian_rose]

image by Magickal Graphics


Imbolc, also known/celebrated as Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, St Brigid's Day, Groundhog Day, takes place on or near the 1st/2nd of February and is a festival marking a cross-quarter day in the wheel of the year, heralding the first signs of spring.

It is a festival particularly associated with Brighid (Brigit, Bride, or Brigid), goddess of healing, smith craft, and poetry. She was Christianised as St Brigid of Kildare. I posted a music rec for a track about Brigid and the start of spring.
This year, the festival coincides with celebrations for the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse, which began on Jan 31st.

I usually give more information - some of it copy-pasted because correspondences don't change, but I always try to include something new; quotes from an article, a personal recipe or photos or story, or just some additional info on correspondences and legendary figures. However since there are apparently no longer readers (no comments, certainly on my most recent Yule post) for these holiday posts I will no longer update the information, but merely link to previous posts:

Imbolc 2013
Imbolc 2012
Imbolc 2011

Comments

[meredith44]

I read them and find them interesting. I just don't really have anything to say other than "That's interesting. Thanks for sharing." which feels kinda pathetic and useless. But as that apparently leads to the impression that no one is reading and appreciating...

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing. :)

Oh, wait, an actual comment... I am amused that it heralds the first signs of spring, as we are mired in this stupid polar vortex that makes me feel that winter is never going to end. Maybe there's some hope for spring arriving at some point yet. :D